Loved Like a Kitten (Part 2)

Bible Reading: Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 21:1-5

When the flea-covered and starving foster kittens had arrived several weeks before, they couldn’t even open their eyes. Now, they were healthy, growing, and busy as could be—rolling around, climbing up and down, batting at the air, and cuddling with Malachi and his mom.

As Malachi played in the living room with the kittens, the TV was on in the background. Malachi heard a reporter talk about lots of sad and scary things happening in the world. The more she talked, the sadder Malachi felt.

That’s when Mom walked in.

“Mom?” Malachi asked. “Where is God with all the hurt going on?”

“That’s a really good question,” said Mom. “Why don’t I turn this TV off so we can talk about it?”

With that, the two of them—plus a kitten—curled up on the couch. Mom rubbed the kitten’s head until he fell asleep. “Malachi,” Mom said, “do you remember when the kittens were brand-new and couldn’t even open their eyes?”

Malachi nodded. “They were helpless.”

“Yes,” said Mom. “All they knew was that we were here with them while they needed lots of help. They couldn’t see us, but they knew we were present and loved them.”

Mom breathed in deeply. “I don’t have an answer for why bad things happen. All I know is that our world is broken because of sin, that Jesus is with us, and that He’s working to fix all this. I’m like a kitten who just has to trust that I’m loved and not alone and that my suffering won’t last forever.”

“That’s like my memory verse,” said Malachi. “‘For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.’”

“Yes,” said Mom. “We don’t see everything clearly right now in our broken world, but Jesus is with us even now, and He knows how much it hurts. But, one day, we’ll see Him face-to-face, and He’ll make all things new. All His people will be healed and whole, just like our kittens.”

-Kandi Zeller

How About You?

When you see sad or scary stuff on the news, how do you feel? When you’re afraid, talk with Jesus and a trusted adult right away. You are not alone. Jesus loves you very much, and He will never leave your side. Our world is broken by sin, but Jesus is stronger than any bad thing we may face. He promises to make all things new and to be with His people every step of the way!

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is with us when we suffer